Grease gun



Sept 6 1932 J. vIwArRLAun Er AL 1,875,745

GREASE om:

Filed Nov. 21. 192s :s sheets-sheet 1 Q Y 5 E *u N E N N Ill "3 tf l :4N

*d* n 1| n N u tu vz um l o y i u -2\ es Q wl/)wif L L INVENTOR ATTORNEYSept. 6, 1932.

J. MARLAND E'rAL 1,875,745

GREASE GUN Filed Nov. 21. 192e 8 sheets-Smet g Gx @afg e/a ATTORNEYSept. 6, 1932.

J. MARLA-ND E'rAL 1,875,745

GREASE GUN Filed Nov. 2l, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f4 #H mm@ mm z f7 /fff ATToRNY Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH MARLANDAND CHARLES A. GRIFFITH, F XNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS TO SANFORDINVESTMENI` COMPANY, 0F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORA- TIoN orDELAWARE GREASE GUN Application filed November 21, 1928. Serial No.320,974.

Our invention relates particularly to apparatus for forcibly deliveringinto bearings non-flowing or semi-solid lubricant such as is ordinarilytermed thick grease.

The object of the invention is to produce an apparatus adapted toreceive a considerable quantity of such semi-solid grease and forciblydeliver the same through tubular conductors to the bearings or hubs orother mechanical structures which need lubrication.

Our improved apparatus includes a relatively large grease tank orreservoir, a powerdriven pump in communication with the reservoir forreceiving grease from the reservoir and with large force driving itthrou h a pipe leading to bearings which are to e lubricated. Theapparatus also includes power-driven means in the reservoir foragitating the lubricant and driving it toward the reservoir outlet tothe pu'np in position to be moved into the pump by the suction action ofthe ump. At said outlet are valve and strainer evices, and associatedwith the pump is a strainer structure. The apparatus also includes arelief pipe leading from the delivery pipe near the pump into thereservoir and adapted to permit the passage of lubricant from thedelivery pipe back into the reservoir when the pump exerts such a highpressure in the delivery pipe as might be injurious to that pipe and theattachments communicating therewith.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying our improvement;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the main part of the same apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line, 3-3, of Fig. 4; U

Fig. 4 is an upright section on the line, 4-4, of Figs. 1 and 2, lookingtoward the left;

Fig. 5 is an upright section on the line, 5 5, of Figs, 2 and 4, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of the strainer shownin the right hand part of Fig. 5;

5 Fig. 7 is an enlargement of the structure forming the outlet from thelower part cf the reservoir or tank shown in the upper part of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of one of the valve members shown in Fig.7; 50

Fig. 9 is a detail view of a valve on a relief pipe shown in Figs. 1 and5, Fig. 9 being a section on the line, 9-9, of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, A, is a base on which the main parts of theapparatus are supported. B is a pump having feet, B1 and B2, resting onthe base, A. B3 is the pump cylinder wherein the piston, P,reciprocates. B4, is the discharge end of the pump. The piston is in theform of a cylindrical stem, to the left hand or Outer end of which isattached the cross head, B5, which is confined for horizontal travelbetween the two guideways, B6, B6.

The pitman, C, has one end coupled to the cross-head and has its otherend coupled to the crank wrist, C1, which is supported 0n the crankwheel, C2, which is fixed on the horizontal crank shaft, C3, which restsin the fixed bearings, C4. (Fig. 2) At the end 75 0f the bearing, U4,opposite the crank wheel, C2, the shaft, C3, is surrounded by and fixedto a relatively large spur gear wheel, C5, which meshes with a smallerspur gear wheel, D6, which is fixed on one end of a shaft, D4, whichrests in a bearing, D5. The oppos.te end of the shaft, D4, is surroundedby a relative-ly large spur gear wl1eel,D3,which meshes with the smallerspur gear wheel, D2, which is fixed on the shaft, Dl, of the motor, Dwhich is supported on the base, A.

When the motor shaft is rotated, the series of spur gear wheelsbeginning with D2 and ending with C5 are rotated with a reduction inspeed, whereby the shaft, C3, is rotated at a speed much lower than thespeed of the motor shaft. In this manner the crank wheel, C2, is rotatedand the pitman, C, and the cross head, B5, and the piston, P, arereciprocated. 95

Above the part, B, of the pump is a tank or reservoir, E, which hascapacity for receiving a much larger quantity of lubricant than is takenby the pump for one stroke. The reservoir has an upright wall, El and a10 base, E2, which has a circumferential, upward-directed flange, E3,extending along the inner face of the lower part of the wall, El, andsuitably secured thereto as by means of rivets or bolts. Eccentric tothe axial line of the reservoir, the base, E2, has a tapering, downwardextension, E4, which terminates i'n a neck, E5, which meets anupward-directed neck, B7, formed on the pump. In the neck, B7, is anupright passage, B8, which leads into the pump. A discharge passage, E6,extends downward. through the base to meet the passage, B8, leading intothe chamber of the pump, B

A tubular valve member, F, is fitted into the passage, E6, and has atits upper end an outward-directed circumferential flange, F1, resting ona packing ring G2, which surrounds the body of the member, F, and restson the adjacent part of the neck, E5. A lower movable valve member, F3,is telescoped into the lower end of the valve member, F. The upper endof the member, F3, has an annular part, F4, which fits slidably withinthe member, F. The lower end of the member, F3, is disk-form and largeenough to extend across 'the lower end of the member, F. Between themembers, F4 and F5, the member, F3, is cut away at opposite sides,leaving two diametrically opposite members or columns, F6, in each ofwhich is an upright slot, F7, said slots being at equal distances abovethe disk, F5. A cross pin, F8, extends horizontally through said slotsand has its ends fixed in the wall of the member, F. Thus the member,F3, is supported by said cross pin in a manner to permit up and downmovement of said member. The parts are so proportioned as to allow themember, F3, to move downward to bring the disk, F5, below the lower endof the member, F, so that there is passage space downward through themember, F, and outward between the columns, F 6, and between the lowerend of the member, F, and the disk, F5; and 'to move upward to make thedisk, F5, bear against the lower end of the member, F, whereby theupward passage through the member, F, is closed.

An upright strainer, F9, is mounted on the member, F, the strainerhaving an outwarddirected circumferential flange, F10, resting on theflange, F1, of the member, F. Clamping plates, F11, bear on the flange,F10, and onthe wawll of the slanting base, E2. of the tank, E. A capscrew, F12, extends through each plate, F11. and is threaded into theneck, E5. By this means the strainer, F9, and the member, F, are firmlyclamped to the neck, E5. It will be understood that the strainer mightbe omitted and the clamping plates, F11, made to bear directly on theflange, F1, of the member F. The axial line of the downward passage inthe neck, E5, being at one side of the axial line of the reservoir,space is left in the base, E2, for a bearing for the lower end of theshaft which will now be described.

In tlre upper part of the reservoir. two bearings, G, and a bridge, G1,folm a unitary casting extending from one side of the reservoir to theother, each bearing, G. having a base, G2, fitted against the inner faceof the reservoir wall and secured thereto by bolts or rivets. An uprightshaft, G3, located approximately on the axial line of the reservoir hasits lower'end resting in a bearing. G-l, formed in the base` E2, whilethe upper end of said shaft extends through a bearing, G5, formed in thebridge. G1. Immediately below the bearing, G5, said shaft is surroundedby a set-collar, G6. Immediately above the bearing, G5, said shaft issurrounded by and fixed to a bevel gear wheel, GT, which meshes with asmaller bevel gear wheel, G8. mounted on the horizontal shaft, G9, whichrests in the bearings, G. Said wheel. G8. is adjacent one of thebearings, G. At the opposite bearing, G, said shaft is surrounded b v a.setcollar, G10. extends through the adjacent bearing, G, and throughthe wall. El. of the reservoir, E. On Said end of the shaft. G9, isfixed a sprocket wheel, G11. which is in the same upright plane with thesprocket wheel. G12, which surrounds and is fixed to the shaft. C3.already described. -\n endless sprocket chain. G13, is applied to thesprocket wheels, G11 and G12. The sprocket wheel. G11. is larger thanthe sprocket wheel. G12. so that the reduced motion of the shaft, C3, isstill further reduced in transmission of motion to the horizontal shaft,G9, in the reservoir E.

In the lower part of the reservoir four oblique propeller blades, H, arefixed radially on a hub. Hl, which surrounds and is fixed on the shaft,G3, to be rotated with said shaft.

In the discharge end of the pump is a check valve, B9, which is adaptedto open for the discharge of lubricant from the pump during the forwardmovement of the piston and to close during the reverse movement of thepiston.

The operation of the apparatus thus far described is as follows:

The reservoir or tank. E. is filled with the thick. non-flowinglubricant. Then the motor` D, is started, whereby the gearingintervening the `motor and the piston starts reciprocation of the pistonat a velocity which is low relative to the velocity of the motor shaft.At the same time the gearing intervening the shaft. C3, and the shaft.G3. establishes rotation of the latter shaft at a still further reducedvelocity. The rotation of the shaft, G3. causes the rotation of the hub,Ill. and the blades. Il. 'l`hose blades are set to cause their underfaces to press the lubricant downward during the rotation of the blades.By this means, the lubricant, which The other end of the shaft. G9.

between the heads. I4 and I5.

does not ordinarily respond to the action of gravity, is moved downwardto and over the strainer, F9, and the discharge passage, ISG. Thereverse or backward movement of the piston, P, acts to close the checkvalve. B9, at, the discharge end of the pump and tends to create avacuum in the pump Chamber between the piston and the check valve, B9,whereby suction through the tubular member, I". and the strainer. F9. iscreated, whereby lubricant is drawn down through the strainer and themember. F, and past the valve disk, `5, to fill the space in the vpumpchamber in front of the piston. Then, during the. forward stroke of thepiston, the valve disk, F5. is forced upward into closed position andthe lubri lant is forced forward through the check valve, B9. As shownin the drawings, the pump chamber and the piston are of small crosssection, and the velocity reduction between the motor shaft and thepiston stem provides for driving the piston forward with great pressure.

It will now be s'een that the blades, II, in the reservoir are notconcerned with the driving of the lubricant to the bearings which are tobe lubricated: that the function of said blades is to agitate thenon-flowing thick grease and by screw action drive it downward to reston the base, E2, and the strainer, F9, in position to pass into the pumpaided by the suction created by the piston during its backward movement.It is important that the blades so agitate and act on the lubricant indetail or incrementally as to eliminate air from the lubricant, in orderthat the pump will deliver no air into the pipe by which lubricant isconducted to the bearings which are to be lubricated. This eliminationor expulsion of air can best be accomplished by shaping the blades tomake them cut the lubricant into thin spiral sheets or layers and pressthose sheets or layers into a dense mass below the blades.

At the discharge end of the check-valve, B9, is a strainer structure, I.A nipple, I1, has one end threaded into the body of the check-valve, B9,while the other end of said nipple is threaded into the cap, I2. Thatcap is threaded around the tubular body. I3, the other end of which isthreaded into the head plate, I4. which is joined to the second headplate. I5, by means of transverse clamping bolts. I6. A cone-formstrainer, IT, has at its base a circun'iferential flange. IS. clamped Anipple. I9, has one end threaded into the head plate. I5. To the otherend of that nipple is threaded a cross-coupling. IlO. From said couplinga relief pipe. J, extends upward and is tapped into the reservoir. E, atJ1. On the pipe, J. isa resisting valve, J2, comprising a body, J3. intowhich the two parts lof the pipe, J, arc threaded in off-set position.(Figs. 5 and In the body, J3, is the valve seatwlsl,

against which normallyv rests the conical face of the valve head, J5.'l`he valve stem, J6, is surrounded by an expanding coiled spring, JT,one end of which bears against the head, J5. and the other end of whichbears against the plug, JS. which is threaded into the body, J3 to meetthe spring, JT, and form an abutment for said spring. The strength ofthe spring is to be such as to resist passing of the lubricant from thecross coupling, lll), upward through the relief pipe.. J, under normalconditions. as will be described .further on.

The strainers, F9 and I7, arc to .serve to remove foreign lnattcr fromthe lubricant. As an example of such foreign matter we mention woodsplincrs from barrels containing the lubricant. The .straincrs are soshaped as to have ample area and are so placed as to canse thelubricant.to tcndto slide over the exterior of the strainer. wherebysuch foreign matter is carried to or toward thc base of the strainer.The parts associated with each strainer are so formed and so related asto pel'- mit easy separation for removal of any accunmlation of foreignmatter.

A strong pipe, K, preferably of metal. of any' desired length, leadsfrom the crosscoupling, IU), in the direction of places at whichbearings arc to receive lubricant. At any desired points along thelength ot the pipe. K. flexible tubes or hose. Kl, may be attached tothe pipe, K, as branches and provided at their ends with couplings, K9.,adapted for connection with the bearings to be lubricated. Thesecouplings, K2, may be of a form adapting them to connect with suchgrease screws or plugs as are now placed on bearings and hubs for thispurpose.

The apparatus may be so placed as to make it convenient to bring thehubs or bearings of lnine cars within reach of the couplings. K2. Forexample. the main part of the apparatus may be placed on a smallt'latcar,L` which is on a track adjacent a track on which mine cars orsimilar cars i may be'moved to be brought within reach of theconnections. K2.

As above stated, it is intended that the pump shall drive the lubricantforward with large pressure, he apparatus being arranged with suchaction in view. Since the resistance to the passing of the lubricantthrough the pipe.. K. and the branches, K1. will var v, due to variationin resistance to passing of the lubricant through tht` couplings. K2.into bearings. and .since the couplings, K2. must bc closed whendisconnectml. there is danger of the pressure at times becoming so greatas to burst the pipe. Ix', or the branches, Kl. 'l`o place a limit uponsuch pressure. we connect the pipe, J. to the c1(1ss-co\.n liiig. Ilo`and the reservoir, E, as above described. IVhen the chosen maximumpressure is reachedlubricant may flow from the cross-coupling into thereservoir. the lubricant pressing the valve head, J5, against thespring, JT, and comllt) pressing the latter, whereby the lubricant maypass the valve seat, J4.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a pet-cock, M, is attached to the lower partof the crosscoupling, IlO, for the purposeof affording access to saidcoupling and the members connected with said coupling, and to permitcirculating cleansing water or other liquid through the apparatus.

It is to be observed that the upperpart of the reservoir is open to theatmosphere and that at any time during the operation of the apparatusmore Alubricant may be lshoveled into the reservoir.

IVe claim as our invention,

1. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage, a horizontal pump extending across and communicating withsaid passage, a fixed upright, tubular valve lmember seated in saidpassage, and a movable upright valve member supported in said tubularvalve member.

2. In a grease gun, the combination of' a tank having in its bottomvwall a passage, a horizontal pump extending across and communicatingwith said passage, a fixed up right tubular valve member seated in saidpassage, and a movable upright valve member supported in said tubularmember and having a part formed to extend across the discharge end ofthe tubular member When the movable valve member is in its backwardposition.

3. In a grease gun; the combination of a tank having in its bottom wallapassage, a horizontal pump extending across and communicating with saidpassage, an upright tubular valve member seated in said passage, amovable upright valve `member supported in said tubular member, astrainer having at its base an outward directed flange extending overthe tubular member, and securing means engaging said flange.

4. In a rease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom wall apassage, a horizontal pump extending across and communicating with saidpassage, an upright tubular valve member seated in said passage, amovable upright valve member supported in said tubular member, astrainer having at its base an outward directed flange extending overthe tubular member, clamping members engaging said flange, and screwsengaging the clamping members.

5. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage, a horizontal pump extending across and communicating withsaid passage, an upright tubular valve member seated in said passage, amovable upright slotted valve member extending' into the tubular member,and means supported on the tubular member and extending into the slotsof the movable valve member whereby said valve-member is made slidablein said tubular member.

6. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage, a horizontal pump extending across and communicating withsaid passage, an upright valve slidable in said passage and having atits discharge end a part larger than said passage and adapted toobstruct said passage when said member is in its backward position.

7. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage, a valve in said passage, a pump below said bottom wall andcommunicating with said passage, a valve at the discharge end of thepump, an upright rotary shaft in the tank,

and lateral blades supported on said shaft and shaped obliquely to cutthe lubricant into thin layersand press said layers downward.

8. In a grease gun, the combination of a horizontal piston pump havingbetween its ends an upward-directed tubular neck, a tank open above andcommunicating with the pump by a passage registering with said neck, avalve in said passage, a valve at the discharge endpf the pump,agitating means in the tank, a motor, velocity reduction gearing betweenthe motor and the pump and between the motor and the agitating means, alubricant delivery pipe outside the tank and leading from the dischargeend of the pump, and a valved return pipe communicating with thedelivery pipe and the tank.

9. In a grease gun, the combination of a horizontal piston pump havingbetween its ends a tubular upright neck, an open tank located above andhaving a bottom passage communicating Withvsaid neck, an upright valvein said passage., a valve at the discharge end of the pump, an uprightshaft rising from the tank bottom and having a lower bearing at one sideof said passage, agitating means on said shaft, and means for drivingsaid pump and said shaft.

10. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage, a pump communicating with said passage, a valve in saidpassage,power-actuatedobliquefaced means located in the tank forincrementally prcssing the grease downward toward said passage andexpelling air from the grease, a delivery pipe` leading from said pump,means on said pipe for connecting with grease receiving means, a cut-offvalve in said pipe, and a valved relief pipe communieating with thedelivery pipe and the tank.

1l. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage', a pump communicating with said passage, a valve in saidpassage,power-actuatd'obliquefaced means located in the tank forincrementally pressing the grease downward toward said passage andexpelling air from the grease, a delivery pipe leading from said pump,means on said pipe for connecting with grease receiving means, a cut-olfvalve in said pipe, a valve at the discharge end of the pump, and avalved relief pipe communicating with the delivery pipe and the tank.

12. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom walla passage, a. pump communicating with said passage, a valve in saidpassage,po\veractuated obliquefaced means located in the tank forincrementally pressing the grease downward toward said passage andexpelling air from the grease, a delivery pipe leading from said pump,means on said pipe for connecting with grease receiving means, a cut-olfvalve in said pipe, a strainer on the course of forward movement of thegrease, and a valved relief pipe communicating with the delivery pipeand the tank.

13. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having a bottom wall, anupright rotary shaft bearing oblique wings adapted to cut the greaseinto layers and press said layers downward, power-driven gearing inoperative relation with the upper part of said shaft for rotating saidshaft, an upright passage extending through said bottom wall beside thebase of said shaft, a'pump located below said bottom wall and extendingacross and communicating with said passage, and a movable valve membersupported in said bottom wall passage.

14. In a grease gun, the combination of a tank having in its bottom wallan upright passage, a fixed tubular valve member seated in said passageand having its upward part flanged outward above said bottom wall, amovable valve member supported in said fixed valve member, and ahorizontal pump extending across and communicating with said passage.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name, this 3d day of November, inthe year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.

JOSEPH MARLAND.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name this 3d day of November,1928.

CHARLES A. GRIFFITH.

